One person was killed and five others injured on Wednesday evening when their vehicle struck a young female elephant on Kazungula Road, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Victoria Falls.
The collision occurred when a Toyota Isis traveling toward Victoria Falls City attempted to overtake a stationary vehicle with its hazard lights activated, unaware the other driver had stopped to avoid an elephant on the road, according to preliminary police reports.
The Toyota struck the elephant, causing the animal to land on the vehicle’s roof and forcing it off the road into nearby bush. The impact propelled the car roughly 100 meters (328 feet), trapping all six occupants inside. A front-seat passenger died at the scene, while the five others sustained injuries and were taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Wildlife authorities euthanized the severely injured elephant to facilitate recovery of the deceased and manage the situation.
Police and Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority officials are investigating the incident.
Road accidents involving wildlife are not uncommon in the region, which lies near national parks and game reserves.
